User`s guide

22 007-4274-001
2: Baseboard Description
• Conventional and extended memory: IBM OS/2, Microsoft Windows NT, and
various UNIX systems
MS-DOS does not use extended memory; however, some MS-DOS utility programs like
RAM disks, disk caches, print spoolers, and windowing environments use extended
memory for better performance.
The BIOS automatically detects, sizes, and initializes the memory array, depending on
the type, size, and speed of the installed DIMMs, and reports memory size and allocation
to the system via configuration registers.
Peripherals
Super I/O Chip (SIO)
The National PC97317VUL Super I/O Plug and Play Compatible with ACPI Compliant
Controller/Extender device supports two serial ports, one parallel port, a diskette drive,
and a PS/2-compatible keyboard and mouse. The system provides the connector
interface for each port.
Serial Ports
Both serial ports can be relocated. Each serial port can be set to one of four different
COMx ports, and each can be enabled separately. When disabled, serial port interrupts
are available to add-in boards.
Parallel Port
The baseboard provides a 25-pin Parallel Port connector. The SIO chip provides an IEEE
1284-compliant, 25-pin, bi-directional parallel port. BIOS programming of the SIO
registers enable the parallel port and determine the port address and interrupt. When
disabled, the interrupt is available to add-in cards.